My 10 year old nephew requested this book as a gift, saying he'd read the first two in the series with his dad--we could only find it used, and I read it one day after giving it to him. I hadn't read the first two in the series, but most of what happened seemed to be explained within this book--at least as best I could tell from my nephew's later efforts to summarize the series for me.

The plot was interesting, but I think moreso to a tween than an adult. The basic story is that two kids are trying to keep at least one step ahead of those trying to catch them while also trying to get evidence to clear their parents. Slight stretching of the imagination to have two kids being able to outwit a number of adults, but . . . ( )

Recommended Ages: Gr.

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The Falconers have just arrived at California and they are still looking for their Uncle Frank, who might help them prove their parents’ innocence. While at the airport, Aiden and Megan’s mug shots were shown on television and they were chased by the police. Once they made it out from the airport they decided to find a hotel that Frank once stayed at. When they got the hotel, he was not there. But they found a box with a clue in it. The clue was an oddly shaped key with a number 374 and the letters SMRC. They were trying to find out what SMRC meant, until they found a poster of Uncle Frank at the Santa Monica Racquet Club. When they got to the club, they found their worst nightmare, Hairless Joe.

I think this was a great book because it had a lot of action and adventure. The best part was when the Falconers escaped from the airport. The worst part was when Aiden was almost killed by a robber at the hotel. The funniest part was when they passed the cops without getting noticed. I liked the idea with the key happen to be a clue. I’d liked the description on the places in California. If you like The Falconers so far than this is the book for you. ( )

kids are on the run to excape the law ( )

Good lower level reading book, action packed adventure; try with reluctant readers. Plot becomes a little far fetched but kids will like the action. ( )